Teacher banned after paying children for sexually explicit videos
A teacher has been banned from the classroom after he paid children for videos of a sexual nature.
Billy Hart, 28, formerly a teacher at the City of Peterborough Academy, has been banned indefinitely from teaching following a misconduct investigation by the Teaching Regulation Agency.
The panel found Hart had engaged in inappropriate conduct by soliciting and receiving a paid video of a sexual nature from children. This conduct breached standards related to treating pupils with dignity and fell significantly short of expected professional conduct.
Hart admitted he had communicated with two children using social media and requested, offered payment, paid and received a video from the children. The video Hart received was of a sexual nature showing a child tied up with a blanket around their legs, and the panel proved his behaviour was of a sexual nature or was sexually motivated.
Despite his arrest in June 2021, no further police action was taken. The panel noted a lack of remorse from Hart and his non-cooperation with the police investigation, citing COVID-19 concerns as reasons for not participating in interviews or providing device passwords when arrested.
Given the serious nature of the misconduct and the risk it posed to the wellbeing of pupils, the panel concluded that Hart’s indefinite prohibition from teaching was necessary.
However, they also acknowledged his youth and inexperience as factors that might improve with time, especially through safeguarding training and rehabilitation. A prohibition order was issued, subject to review in three years, aiming to prevent any recurrence of such behaviour in the future.
Greenwood Academies Trust, which oversees the City of Peterborough Academy, emphasised its commitment to maintaining a safe learning environment and promptly taking action upon learning of the allegations.
Reporting sexual abuse to the police is crucial for survivors in several profound ways. It not only holds perpetrators accountable, preventing future harm to others, but also validates survivors’ experiences, affirming that what they endured was wrong and unlawful. By bravely stepping forward, survivors contribute to breaking the cycle of silence and stigma surrounding sexual abuse, promoting a safer and more just society for everyone.
